Annoying and Bizarre Elevator Behaviors

Even though the average elevator ride is less than two minutes, new research shows there are some strange things going on during that time.

While most people follow standard elevator etiquette of facing forward and generally keeping to themselves, a CareerBuilder survey has uncovered some odd, and highly questionable, behavior witnessed by employees while riding up and down, including:

Overall, the study found that employees are most annoyed by those who talk on their cellphone while riding in an elevator. Some of other elevator habits workers find annoying include:

Not holding the door open when others are running to get on the elevator

Standing too close when there is plenty of room in the elevator

Squeezing into an already crowded elevator

Not stepping off the elevator to let other people out

Holding the elevator doors open for an extended period of time while waiting for someone else to get on

Cutting in line to get on the elevator when other people have been waiting longer

Taking the elevator to go up one or two floors instead of using the stairs

Pushing the wrong button so the elevator stops at more floors

Facing away from the elevator door, instead of toward the door like everyone else

Other key findings of the survey were that 16 percent of workers admitted to purposely closing the elevator door when they saw someone approaching, while another 16 percent are afraid of getting stuck in an elevator due to a malfunction.

Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance writer who has nearly 15 years experience in the media business. A graduate of Indiana University, he spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including, local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Following his years at the newspaper Chad worked in public relations, helping promote small businesses throughout the U.S. Follow him on Twitter.